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Title: Imaging the Divine: Jesus and Christ-Figures in Film (Communication, Culture & Theology) by Lloyd Baugh ISBN: 1-55612-863-0 Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield (Non NBN) Pub. Date: May, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $26.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Cinematic Christology
Comment: I found Baugh's book not only spot-on in its theology, as did another reviewer, but also more than knowledgeagble about film in general and helpfully incisive in its analyses of individual films about Jesus and those featuring Christ figures. Its take on Denys Arcand's "Jesus of Montreal" is worth the entire price of admission, with a concluding paragraph as verbally eloquent as the final images of the film are visually compelling. Moreover, Baugh's discussions of films by Pasolini, Bresson, and Scorsese simply increase the study's value. I'm at a loss to account for a previous reviewer's warning that a Jesuit priest (which Baugh is, with no attempt to disguise this aspect of his identity) makes judgments about films at least partially on the basis of his faith and his understanding of Christian doctrine. I imagine that any intelligent reader can determine what these judgments are, and from what mindset they spring, and compensate according to his or her own values. Let me add here that I took over ten pages of single-spaced notes, in longhand, from Baugh's text, not because a film and/or thelology course required me to do so, but because Baugh's research and analyses seemed to me so rich and astute. The sections on women as Christ figures, in such films as "Babbett's Feast," "Bagdad Cafe," and "Dead Man Walking," reverberate with surprising insights and good sense. Let me add here that I have never met, do not personally know or correspond with, and have no expectation of any sort of kickback from, the cinematically well-versed Lloyd Baugh.
Rating: 3
Summary: Primarily a highlight of deficiencies in theology
Comment: Lloyd Baugh's scholarship is impeccable, but, while his conclusions are clear and well-presented, this is far more a book for those who wish to explore how the human vision obscures the perception of Christology than for anyone who has more of an interest in artistic forms. Baugh indeed gives much attention to technical presentation, and his extensive knowledge of cinematic art is unquestionable, but it is a curiously scientific effort, and somehow unsatisfying.
All would depend on perspective. In my own case, though I agreed with many of the author's conclusion and found some thought provoking, some of the very aspects I found excellent in certain films (such as the "extra-evangelical" character development in "Jesus of Nazareth") are explored by the author as diminishing the gospel message. The artist in me was disappointed that I found the book so dull - especially because I recognised that, as far as theology is concerned, Baugh is spot on.
The book has great merits, but don't acquire it as a gift for a film or theatre buff.
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Title: Jesus at the Movies: A Guide to the First Hundred Years by W. Barnes Tatum ISBN: 0944344674 Publisher: Polebridge Press Pub. Date: March, 1998 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: Savior on the Silver Screen by Richard C. Stern, Clayton Jefford, Guerric Debona ISBN: 0809138557 Publisher: Paulist Press Pub. Date: May, 1999 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue by Robert K. Johnston ISBN: 080102241X Publisher: Baker Book House Pub. Date: November, 2000 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
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Title: Faith and Film: Theological Themes at the Cinema by Bryan P. Stone ISBN: 0827210272 Publisher: Chalice Press Pub. Date: April, 2000 List Price(USD): $23.99 |
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Title:The Gospel According to St. Matthew ASIN: B00009Y3PP Publisher: Water Bearer Films, Pub. Date: 22 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $29.95 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $26.06 |
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